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This report provides the recommendations of ARENA Working Group 1 concerning the development of and objectives for a wide-field, optical/infrared, 2.5m class telescope for Antarctica. It discusses the key science drivers for such a telescope, the performance and capabilities it should have, and the logistics and infrastructure issues relevant to its construction and operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A description of the early days of infrared site testing at the South Pole is given, with special attention paid to the data which quantified the conditions during summer and the long twilight period. Such times are also provide relatively benign conditions for humans in Antarctica as well. We show that they are favourable for many observing programs that require the thermal infrared, and then discuss a number of specific projects that could be undertaken. Such projects might mark the first to be conducted with any new telescope in Antarctica, as they would enable science to be carried out during the commissioning period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]